Civics Polity

Indian Polity and Governance

1,708 Questions

Indian Polity and Governance outlines the constitutional framework, administrative structure, and political system of India. This page provides practice questions on executive appointments, the role of councils of ministers, and disaster management. These topics are fundamental for civil services and state level exams.

President and GovernorCouncil of MinistersState administrationDisaster managementConstitutional appointmentsLegislature

Indian Polity and Governance Questions

Multiple choice

Assertion (A):The President of India causes every recommendation made by the Finance Commission under the provisions of the Constitution of India to be laid before the Lok Sabha only. Reason (R):The Finance Commission is a body set up under the provisions of the Constitution of India.

  1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. A is true but R is false

  4. A is false but R is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The assertion (A) is FALSE - Finance Commission recommendations must be laid before BOTH Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha AND Rajya Sabha), not just the Lok Sabha. Article 281 requires the President to cause recommendations to be laid before Parliament as a whole. The reason (R) is TRUE - the Finance Commission is indeed a constitutional body under Article 280. Therefore, option D (A is false, R is true) is correct.

Multiple choice

Who is the chairman of the Civil Service Board in India?

  1. Secretary (Personnel), Government of India

  2. Cabinet Secretary, Government of India

  3. Chairman, Union Public Service Commission

  4. Establishment Officer, Government of India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Civil Services Board is constituted under Rule 7 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. As per the rules, the Cabinet Secretary of India serves as the Chairman of the Civil Services Board, which includes the Secretary (Personnel) as a member among others. The Board advises the Central Government on matters concerning All India Service members.

Multiple choice

Who among the following is not a member of the committee which makes recommendation to President of India for appointment as Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners?

  1. Prime Minister

  2. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

  3. A Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister

  4. Union Law Minister
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The committee for recommending CIC and Information Commissioners consists of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Union Law Minister is not a member unless specifically nominated as the Cabinet Minister representative. Therefore, the Law Minister is the correct answer as 'not a member' by default.

Multiple choice

The President of India may from time to time fix the number of Election Commissioners of the Election Commission of India on the basis of

  1. advice by the Chief Election Commissioner

  2. advice by the Prime Minister's Office

  3. recommendation of the Union Law Ministry

  4. the law made in that respect by the Parliament

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The President fixes the number of Election Commissioners based on law made by Parliament. Originally a single-member commission, it became multi-member based on the Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 1989 and subsequent amendments. None of the advisory bodies mentioned in options A, B, or C have this authority.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements in regard to appointment and functioning of the Advocate General of a state: (a) He should be qualified to be appointed as a judge of a High Court. (b) He shall hold the office during the pleasure of the Governor. (c) He shall receive emoluments as determined by the state legislature. (d) He will give advice to state govet. in legal matters.

Which according to you is not correct?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The remuneration to be received by the Advocate General is determined by the Governor of the state and not state legislature.

Multiple choice

The governor of state has the powers to exercise his discretion. Consider the following statements in this context: (a) Although, there shall be a Council of Ministers with CM as head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his function, yet he enjoys powers to exercise his discretion. (b) If any question arises as to the validity of governors action of his discretion, under the Constitution the governors decision shall be find and shall not be called in question. (c) The question whether any, and if so what advice was tendered by the Council of Ministers to the governor shall be inquired into only by the court.

Which of the above is incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Even if any advice was tendered by the council of ministers and government acted in his discretion, it cannot be required into by any court of law.

Multiple choice

Which of the following expenditures is/are not charged on “the consolidated fund of a state”? (a) The emoluments of the governor and big office expenses (b) The salaries and allowances of the judges of High Court (c) Expenditure relating to raising of loans and redemption of debt (d) Salaries and emoluments of Speaker/Deputy speaker, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Legislative Assembly (e) Salaries and allowances of Heads of Legislative Assembly various state govt. corporations

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b) and (c)

  3. Only (d)

  4. Only (e)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 According to Article 202 (3), the following expenditure shall be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of each State. (a) the emoluments and allowances of the Governor and other expenditure relating to his office; (b) the salaries and allowances of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and, in the case of State having a Legislative Council, also of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council; (c) debt charges for which the State is liable including interest, sinking fund charges and redemption charges, and other expenditure relating to the raising of loans and the service and redemption of debt; (d) expenditure in respect of the salaries and allowances of Judges of any High Court; (e) any sums required to satisfy and judgment, decree or award of any court or arbitral tribunal; (f) any other expenditure declared by this Constitution, or by the Legislature of the State by law, to be so charged. It does not include salaries and allowances of Heads of Legislative Assembly various state govt. corporations. Hence, the option (e) is not correct.

Multiple choice

Who among the following certifies whether a “Financial Bill” is a “Money Bill”?

  1. The President

  2. The Prime Minster

  3. The Finance Minister

  4. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 110 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the exclusive authority to certify whether a bill is a Money Bill. This certification is crucial because Money Bills have special privileges - they can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject them, only recommend amendments. The Speaker's decision on this matter is final and cannot be challenged in court.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the concept of 'Antyodaya'?

  1. Sri Aurobindo

  2. Mahatma Gandhi

  3. Jayaprakash Narayan

  4. Vinoba Bhave
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The concept of Antyodaya (uplifting the poorest person) was propounded by Vinoba Bhave. It became a central principle of Indian development planning and social welfare programs.

Multiple choice

Which of the following maintains the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission?

  1. The Chief Election Commissioner does not hold his office till the pleasure of the President.
  2. Debarment of the retiring election commissioners from further appointment by the government.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. The Chief Election Commissioner is removed by passing a resolution to that effect by both Houses of the Parliament with special majority. Statement 2 is wrong. The constitution does not debar the retiring election commissioners from any further appointment by the government.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. The President decides the number of election commissioners.
  2. Chief Election Commissioner is the Chairman of Election Commission during the appointment of election commissioners.
  3. Till date, there have been three election commissioners at maximum.

  1. 1 and 3

  2. Only 2

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. The President decides the number of election commissioners. Statement 2 is correct, though all the three members have equal powers. Statement 3 is correct. Among the three members, one is the Chief Election Commissioner and two other election commissioners.